In remembrance of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Penn's Commemorative Symposium on Social Change has organized a series of community events on Monday's holiday to "Clean up, Paint up and Spruce up West Philadelphia."
Just one part of the two-week "Making a Difference by Living the Dream" campaign, the goal of the day of service is to increase student involvement in the West Philadelphia community.
"We're encouraging students to come together by living Dr. King's dream," said Afi Roberson-Heywood, the executive chair of the symposium.
Four different projects will occur on Monday. The group plans to thoroughly clean and paint the community service agency I Can, located at 60th and Vine streets, the Rotunda at 40th and Walnut streets, the Community Education Center at 35th Street and Lancaster Avenue and Sayre High School.
"It's such a wonderful feeling when people come back to the place after we clean it up," Roberson-Heywood said. "Just to see the light on their face, it's like going from the dark to the light."
The day begins with a Day of Service breakfast at 9 a.m. in Houston Hall. Following the day's activities, the commemoration will culminate with a candlelight vigil in honor of King's legacy.
The service project lasts only one day, and the entire campaign lasts only two weeks. However, the organizers hope the events leave a lasting impact.
"Although some of the projects seem as though they happen on one day, they really have an impact," said Isabel Mapp, co-chair of Day of Service events. "Yes we're doing the work on one day but the work establishes a relationship that will continue."
Roberson-Heywood also stressed the importance of Penn students giving back to the community surrouding them.
"It is truly my hope that our Penn students will come out and support the whole Day of Service events. ... To those who much is given, much is expected in return," Roberson-Heywood said. "People actually gave their lives to bring about change for us and we have to give back ... let's step up to the plate."
Details about all the programs scheduled during the Making a Difference by Living the Dream campaign and volunteer opportunities for Monday's activities can be found on the symposium's Web site.
Holiday event schedule All events take place Monday - 9 a.m.: Day of Service Breakfast; Hall of Flags, Houston Hall - 10 a.m.: Children's Banner Painting; Class of '49 Auditorium, Houston Hall - 10 a.m.: Philadelphia Reads Literacy Project; Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall - 7 p.m.: Candlelight Vigil; begins at DuBois College House, the Quad and Hill College House
